ARTICLE III
Officers of the Lodge

The Officers of this Lodge shall be a Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, Chaplain, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, (Marshal and/or Master of Ceremonies and/or Musician optional), and Tiler. top

ARTICLE IV
Election of Officers

Section 1. The Worshipful Master, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary and Tiler shall be elected. All other officers shall be appointed. The Worshipful Master shall name all appointed officers except the Junior Deacon, who shall be appointed by the Senior Warden.
Section 2. In ether election of officers, should only one name be placed in nomination, the vote may be taken without ballot, but should more then one Brother be placed in nomination, the members shall prepare their ballots, which shall be taken up and counted at the Secretaries Desk, and the number of votes received by each Brother reported to the presiding officer, and he shall declare the Brother receiving a majority of all the votes cast duly elected. In the event no Brother has such majority; the ballot will be repeated until such result is attained. Blank votes shall not be considered in determining the result.
Section 3. A Motion to close nominations shall be at all times out of order and it shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master to call for further nominations, and there being none he shall declare the nominations closed.
Section 4. No Brother shall be eligible to the office of Worshipful Master until he shall have been elected and served as Warden of this Lodge, master of a Lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction, Warden of Master in this Jurisdiction.
Section 5. The annual election of officers shall be at the stated communication preceding the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and the installations shall take place on that day or as soon thereafter as practicable, but they shall be installed before the first day of August, otherwise the old officers shall hold over until the next regular election and installation.
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ARTICLE V
Duties of the Officers

Section 1. Worshipful Master - It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master to see that the By-Laws of the Lodge, as well as the Constitution and Regulations of the Grand Lodge are duly observed, and that the officers attend strictly to their duties. He shall preside at all meetings, and in the absence of any officer, to fill his place by appointment protem; to appoint all committees not otherwise provided for; to see that the brethren conduct themselves with due decorum while the business of the Lodge is being transacted; to call to order and close any debate with such precedent observations as he may deem necessary; to see that none of the ancient landmarks, usages and customs of Freemasonry are removed, added to, or violated, and to perform such other duties as may be necessary to attend to the Lodges Business, promote the welfare of the brethren, banish discord, diffuse charity and preserve harmony. The Wardens or any Brother, who shall govern protem, shall have the same power and authority as the Worshipful Master.
Section 2. Senior & Junior Wardens - The Wardens shall assist the Worshipful Master in all duties of his office. The Junior Warden shall observe the behavior of the Brethren in his jurisdiction and report all violations of precepts and rules, and to bring charges, if not preferred by a Brother in a reasonable time. He shall, by proxy, or in person, see that the offender is properly dealt with.
Section 3. Treasurer - It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all monies from the Secretary, giving his receipt for the same, and keeping a correct record thereof. He shall render a full and complete report to the Lodge at the first stated communication in January and July of each year; pay all just demands against the Lodge, when properly approved by the Finance Committee, with the consent of the Worshipful Master and the consent of the Lodge, and a proper warrant issued by the Secretary of the Lodge, and collect the same as directed by the Finance Committee and Worshipful Master. He shall also be the custodian of all deeds, certificates of stock or other property of the Lodge. He shall be exempt from the payment of regular Lodge dues.
Section 4. Secretary - It shall be the duty of the Secretary to carefully observe the proceedings of the Lodge; make a correct record of all things proper to be written. He shall receive all monies due the Lodge and shall pay them over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt for the same. It shall also be the duty of the Secretary:
(1) To keep all books and papers relating to the proceedings of the Lodge.
(2) To authenticate all official papers and documents emanating from the lodge with the seal of the same.
(3) To notify all Brethren of their election to office, if they were not present at the time of election.
(4) He shall, immediately after election and installation of officers of the Lodge, transmit to the Grand Secretary a return of the Officers elected and installed, a list of the members, together with the names of all those initiated, passed and raised, giving the dates of each degree conferred; also the names of those suspended, expelled, demitted, re-instated, or affiliated; also the names of those rejected for the degrees or affiliations, such report to be read in open Lodge before transmission to the Grand Secretary, and a duplicate thereof kept on file in the Lodge
(5) He shall, at the first communication in January and July of each year, make to the Lodge a full and complete report showing the amount of money received, from who received and disposition of same, also the amounts due the Lodge from each member, or from any other sources.
(6) After January 1^st of each year the Secretary shall inspect all certificates displayed in the Lodge and if any are found to be expired, shall notify the brother in writing. Any not replaced by February 1^st following notification shall be removed and held in the Secretaries Office for safe keeping.
(7) He shall be exempt from the payment of regular Lodge dues. He shall be allowed all postage and stationery necessary to perform his duties. He shall receive, as compensation for his duties, an amount set by a majority vote of the Lodge.
Section 5. Tiler - It shall be the duty of the Tiler to see that the lodge room is kept clean and in order; and that the various articles of furniture are in their appropriate places; to strictly guard the door during the sitting of the Lodge; to summon the members of the Lodge to all called meetings where a summons is necessary or when directed by the Worshipful Master; and to be punctual in this attendance. He shall be exempt from payment of regular Lodge dues. He shall receive as compensation for his duties an amount set by a majority vote of the Lodge
Section 6. Historian/Librarian - A member of this Lodge shall be appointed each year by the Worshipful Master to serve as Historian/Librarian. Such appointed member shall present a budget (if warranted) no later then the first Stated Meeting in August to be approved by the Lodge.
Section 7. Janitor - The janitorial duties may be preformed by a volunteer member of the Lodge or by a member appointed by the Worshipful Master to accomplish those duties. The member performing those duties will receive, as compensation for his duties, an amount set by a majority vote of the Lodge. He will also be compensated for any cleaning supplies or miscellaneous items he must purchase. The members of this Lodge and the appendant bodies meeting or using this Lodge facility will be charged with the responsibility of assisting in keeping the facility clean and in proper order. top

ARTICLE VI
Affiliations and Petitions

Section 1. Any reference to a month in these by-laws constitutes 28 days (A Lunar Month). Every applicant for initiation, passing or raising shall have resided twelve months in the state and six months in the jurisdiction of this lodge; and be known to at least two members before a ballot can be taken on the petition, but the provision of residence does not apply to soldiers and sailors.
Section 2. Every application for intiation must be on the regular form signed in full by the applicant stating his age, profession and residence, and accompanied by the initiation fee, in cash; and recommended by two Master Masons, who are members of this Lodge; be presented at a regular meeting and referred to a committee of three for investigation,. Such application cannot be withdrawn after being presented, unless it is shown that this Lodge has no jurisdiction, then it can be withdrawn and the fee returned.
Section 3. Every application for initiation must lie over at least one month after its reference to the investigation committee. When the report of the committee is made, which shall be at a stated meeting, the ballot shall be taken, and if found in favor of the applicant, he may be initiated as soon as convenient. If a ballot is not favorable, initiation fee shall be returned.
Section 4. No Entered Apprentice or Fellowcraft shall be passed or raised until he has worked on the preceding degree at least one lunar month, been examined in open Lodge at a regular meeting as to his skill, and the ballot be taken and found unanimous in his favor. Such ballot may be taken in the Masters Lodge or in the Lodge of the degree for which the examination was held.
Section 5. A Brother must be examined in open Lodge and voted as proficient in the entire trial lecture of the Masters Degree within ninety days after he is raised. Any Brother, after receiving the Masters Degree, who willfully neglects or refuses to present himself and be examined as to his proficiency in such a degree within ninety days thereafter, unless further time is granted him by the Lodge, may be subject to suspension; absence from the Lodge, may be subject to suspension; absence from the state, natural infirmities, or unavoidable accidents alone excusing him.
Section 6. The fee for conferring the Entered Apprentice Degree shall be $55.00, $5.00 of which shall be used for the maintenance of the George Washington Masonic Memorial. The fee for conferring the Fellowcraft Degree shall be $55.00 and the fee for conferring the Master Masons Degree shall be $60.00, $25.00 of which shall go to the Masonic Home and School.
Section 7. Petitions for affiliations must be presented at a regular stated meeting, be recommended by two members of this Lodge, be referred to a committee of three for investigation and no ballot shall be taken in less then one month from date of presentation, and upon the report of the committee the ballot shall be taken and if found in favor of the applicant, he shall become a member of this Lodge . No petition for affiliation can be received by this Lodge until the applicant has visited this Lodge at a regular Stated Meeting; and all petitions must be accompanied by a regular demit or certificate of good standing. top

ARTICLE VIl
Balloting on Candidates

Section 1. All ballots on petitions for the degrees, or any of them; affiliation, reinstatement; or restoration; and all ballots or votes on applications for waiver of jurisdiction; certificates of good standing, dismissals or demits; shall be taken at stated meetings only, unless a dispensation is issued by the Grand Master.
Section 2. In balloting on petitions for the degrees or either of them, any member in good standing in a Lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge is entitled to vote; and all members of this Lodge present must vote. Only members of this Lodge can vote in any other balloting.
Section 3. In balloting for degrees, three (3) black balls shall reject for one year, four (4) for two years and five (5) or more for three years. In the event that any protest has been entered, each protest shall count as a black ball. In balloting for affiliation, four (4) or more black balls shall reject, but the application may apply again at any time.
Section 4. A ballot on any kind of a petition or application may be retaken as many times as may be necessary to satisfy the Worshipful Master that a mistake has not been made, before the result of any ballot is announced by the Worshipful Master, but not thereafter. No result of a ballot shall be announced until called for by the Worshipful Master, but the result must be announced before the meeting is closed.
Section 5. In all cases not otherwise provided for, a majority of votes cast shall govern and in the case of a tie, the Worshipful Master shall cast the deciding vote, unless he has already voted with the members, in which event the proposition shall be declared negated. top

ARTICLE VIII
Committees

Section 1. The Worshipful Master, Senior, and Junior Wardens shall constitute Standing Committees of Fraternal Assistance, Sickness, and Arbitration, a majority of whom may at all times, act; and are responsible to the Lodge. Their duties are as follows:
(1) Fraternal Assistance - It is their duty to examine all claimants for assistance, and, if necessary, they may draw upon the Treasury, in each instance, to the amount of $25.00; reporting the facts in each case to the Lodge at its next stated meeting, thereafter.
(2) Sickness - It shall be their duty to visit all sick Brethren (unless it would be dangerous or imprudent to do so), and to ascertain their condition and necessities; and to take such action as they may deem proper and necessary, both in regard to the brother and his family.
(3) Arbitration - It shall also be the duty of this committee to settle all differences between Brethren, unless the parties prefer to bring the matter before the Lodge.
Section 2. Committee on Finance - At the first stated communication after his installation, the Worshipful Master shall appoint a standing committee on Finance, composed of three well-informed and discreet Master Masons, whose duties shall be to examine the records, books and vouchers of the Secretary and Treasurer before the semi-annual report or at any time they deem necessary, to make a full and complete report of all such corrections or inaccuracies that may be found. Any expenses or current accounts may be referred to them for investigation or correction, if deemed best by the Lodge before being paid.
Section 3. All reports of standing committees shall be acted upon at the meeting and spread upon the minutes of the Lodge. Special Committee reports shall be disposed of at the discretion of the Lodge. top

ARTICLE IX
Dues

Section 1. Each member of this Lodge (unless herein exempted) shall pay dues from the time of his raising or affiliation at the rate of One Hundred dollars ($100.00) per annum, payable semi-annually or annually in advance on January 1^st of each year.
Section 2. On or before thirty days before the last stated meeting of the Lodge, held before June 24^th of each year, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify each member, in writing, who may be in arrears for dues for the current year, and if such member fails to pay his dues on or before June 23^rd of such year, he shall stand automatically suspended for non-payment of dues without any action by the Lodge, and such suspension shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. If no meeting of the Lodge shall be held on such a date, such delinquent member shall nevertheless stand automatically suspended and entry thereof shall be made into the minutes at the first stated meeting of the Lodge.
Section 3. All Life Members, Endowed Members, Treasurer, Secretary and Tiler are exempt from the Payment of dues in this Lodge. The Lodge may remit the dues of any individual brother when just cause is shown that the brother is temporarily unable to pay due to his financial situation, sickness or health. In accordance with Article 310 of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Texas, this Lodge can not and will not make any distinction in the amount of fees charged a candidate for the degrees, not in the amount charged a member for dues because of his profession, occupation or calling.
Section 4. A member who has been suspended for nonpayment of dues and remains so for one year or more shall be required to present his petition, in writing, to the Lodge, requesting to be reinstated. Said petition shall be accompanied by payment of dues owing for the year of suspension and the current years dues. A ballot must be taken on the petition at a stated meeting thereafter and the applicant must be elected by a two thirds vote of all members present. In the case of such member who has remained so suspended for more then three years, he must be elected by unanimous vote of all members present, otherwise such suspended member shall continue to stand suspended and the dues tendered shall be returned upon request.
Section 5. When a Brother has been suspended for nonpayment of dues for more then two years and petitions this Lodge for reinstatement, and is rejected, he may petition this Lodge for reinstatement, and is rejected, he may petition the Lodge again after six months have elapsed and if rejected a second time, he shall not petition again until one year has elapsed from the date of the last rejection. top

ARTICLE X
Demits

Section 1. Any member of this Lodge who is in good standing and who is desirous of obtaining a demit, shall pay all dues and file his application with the Secretary, who shall announce it in open Lodge, and by unanimous ballot it shall be granted; but if the ballot is not unanimous, the application shall then lie over until the next stated meeting, and if there are no charges preferred, the Worshipful Master shall grant the demit. top

ARTICLE XI
Registration

Section 1. A register shall be kept in the Tillers Room, and it shall be the duty of every member of this Lodge attending a meeting to register his name therein.
Section 2. A visitors register shall be kept in the Tillers Room where all visiting Brethren must register their names, the name, number and location of the Lodge to which they belong.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Tiler to see that the registers are properly signed by the members and visitors. top

ARTICLE XII
Rules of Order

Section 1. Every Brother shall avoid moving about in the Lodge room while the Lodge is in session, except the Officers whose duties require it, or such members who may be assisting them.
Section 2. Every Brother shall refrain from holding conversation in the Lodge room while the Lodge is in session except by permission of the Worshipful Master.
Section 3. Every Brother who desires to speak, ask for information, make or second a motion, shall rise to his feet and address the Worshipful Master, and shall not proceed until recognized by the Worshipful Master.
Section 4. While a Brother is speaking, no member shall interrupt him, except by first rising to his feet and asking and receiving permission, and must cease his questions or remarks when requested to do so by the brother speaking.
Section 5. While a Brother is speaking, if he wanders from his subject or is personal in his remarks, the Worshipful Master may call him to order, and he may not proceed with his remarks except by permission of the Worshipful Master.
Section 6. No Brother shall speak more then twice on the same subject at the same meeting, except to explain or when called to speak by the Worshipful Master.
Section 7. No visiting Brother shall speak upon any question before the Lodge except by permission or request of the Worshipful Master.
Section 8. If any Brother shall be twice called to Order at the same meeting for violating the rules and is again guilty of a violation of them, he shall be ordered from the Lodge by the Worshipful Master, and cannot re-enter at the same meeting.
Section 9. All resolutions or original propositions offered shall be reduced to writing, if required by any member, and shall be signed by the Brother offering and his second, and read audibly at the Secretaries desk before it's opened for action or debate. Every motion must be duly seconded before it is placed before the Lodge for action.
Section 10. When a resolution or original proposition is duly offered, no motion shall be in order except to postpone to a certain time, to postpone indefinitely, to refer to a committee, to amend, to substitute, to divide or to adopt, and such motions shall have precedence in the order named.
Section 11. A motion to amend by striking out and inserting shall not be divided unless that motion is negated, when a motion to strike out may simply be made.
Section 12. When any question is decided, the same shall not be acted upon again at the same meeting except on a motion to reconsider which can only be made by a member of the Majority, and no order made, resolution adopted, or business matters voted on, shall be reconsidered at a subsequent meeting of the Lodge unless an equal or greater number of members are present then when the original action was taken.
Section 13. After a resolution or motion has been put before the Lodge by the Worshipful Master, it shall not be withdrawn without the consent of the author and his second. And only then by a majority vote of the Lodge when an objection to its withdrawal has been made by any member.
Section 14. All questions on order or procedure shall be decided by the Worshipful Master, without appeal or debate. The Worshipful Master may ask advice of any member before rendering his decision.
Section 15. The sense of the Lodge on all questions shall be taken by the usual way of voting unless a ballot has been requested.
Section 16. No member of the Lodge shall be permitted to leave the Lodge room while the minutes are being read, or while a Brother is speaking upon any question before the Lodge.
Section 17. At all stated meetings, the regular order of business shall be, after the Lodge is opened:
1. Introducing visiting Brethren.
2. Reading the minutes of the previous meetings.
3. Receiving and referring petitions.
4. Reports of standing committees.
5. Reports of special committees.
6. Balloting for candidates.
7. Unfinished business.
8. New Business.
Under this heading, all business shall have precedence in the order introduced, unless otherwise ordered by a vote.
Section 18. At all trials in this Lodge, the manner of procedure shall be under and in accordance with the rules and regulations governing trials adopted by the Grand Lodge.
Section 19. It shall be the duty of the Worshipful Master after installation, to furnish this Lodge with a good photograph of himself, the size, frame and lettering to conform to photographs now being used by this Lodge, and to deposit the same with the Secretary so that on his becoming a Past Master, it may be placed with the Past Masters photographs in the Lodge.
Section 20. The Lodge shall present to each member at the time he is raised to the Degree of Master Mason, a white lambskin apron, which shall be his to keep and wear on all proper occasions.
Section 21. Upon the death of any member of this Lodge, his family shall be furnished with a proper certificate of his membership.
Section 22. Each year, a member selected by a committee composed of the last five Past Masters, shall be presented with a Pillar of Strength Pen and Certificate for distinguished service rendered to the Lodge. top

ARTICLE XIII
Building Maintenance Accounts

Section 1. The Building Maintenance Account will be used for the sole purpose of maintaining the building, equipment and grounds of this Lodge. This account will be reinforced by an amount from the general budget, to be determined annually by the membership based upon its financial condition. Funds designated to this account may be withdrawn solely for the purpose of maintenance or property improvement. This account may also be reinforced by donations or by fund raisers held for that purpose.

Section 2. The Building Maintenance Account shall also be reinforced by monies received as rent from the appendant bodies using the Lodge Building; to assist in defraying the maintenance cost and the annual taxes. Said rent charged the appendant bodies will be set by a majority vote of the Lodge. top

ARTICLE XIV
Amendments

These By-Laws shall be subject to alteration or amendment by a resolution in writing setting forth such an alteration, amendment or change, duly seconded. Such resolution shall be read in open Lodge and may be discussed when submitted. Resolutions shall be voted on at the next stated meeting without further discussion. The Worshipful Master shall call up the resolution at the proper meeting, and at each and every meeting thereafter, until disposed of, and it shall require a majority vote of all members present to make such alterations or amendments. top

ARTICLE XV
Health and Safety

Section 1. Weapons, either offensive or defensive, shall not be carried into the Lodge room or elsewhere about the Lodge building. Brothers who are authorized to carry firearms, shall secure them in the Secretaries Office while present in the building.
Section 2. Tobacco in any form shall be prohibited within the Lodge room. In all areas of the Lodge Building smoking shall be prohibited. Members desiring to smoke shall do so outside the building and away from the entry way. And signs shall be maintained at the entryways. One at the entry of the building, stating that the Lodge is a smoke free facility and one at the Lodge Room door stating the Lodge room is a tobacco free room. (Revised 2008) top